The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-04-14
A BAD WOMAN.
A SHORT SENTIMENTAL SERMON By
HENRY BLOUNT.
A Reflection of His Own Hearts Beam
ings, as He Sits all Alone in
His Dreamings.
TWilSon Mirror.1

Wilson Mirror.1
Heretofore we have written OF wo-
man-Heaven's God-lent angel to man
-as she appeared in the full orbed
glory of her splendid worth, making
life brighter, sweeter, lovelier and more
attractive bv the display of those an
geliC charms which give such rapture
to the presence OF pure and true and
noble woman, and which make her in
huence living fountain of the sweet
est and purest and hottest inspirations.
We have told how she could sOothe the
breast of trouble, and spread the balm
of solaCe there. We have told how
the gleam of her eye would ensllver
the gloom, and make it glisten with
lustre as bright as those brilliant TINT
ings, which beam upon those dazzling
showers of radiance, which come trick
ling down from the throne of light.
We have told how her musical tones
of endearment would drown every
note of discord in life's rough field OF
conflict, and make every thought float
away in dulcet ripplings to the match
less rythm of that blessed song OF rap
ture which goes ebbing around her
own sweet island of affection. Yes,
we have told how she could uproot all
the briars Of care, sweep down all the
weeds of misfortune, and mlngle the
flowers of brightest hope with the very
cypress of desrair. Yes, we have told
all this. But there is something else
she can do. Yes, she can do much,
alas! perhaps more, to degrade man If
she chooses to do it. Who can estl-
mate the evil that woman has the
power to do? AS wife she can ruin
herself by extravaganza, folly, or want
F of affection. She can make demon
or an outcast of a man who might
otherwise become a good member OF
society. She can bring pickering,
strife, and discord into what has been
happy home. She can change the
innocent babes into vile men and even
into vile women. She can lower the
moral tone of society itself, and thus
pollute legislation at the spring head.
She can, in fine, become an instru-
, ment of evil instead of an angel OF
t good. Instead of making flowers o.
, truth, purity, beauty, and spirituality
: spring up in her foot steps, till the
o earth smiles with a loveliness that !:
! almost celestial, she can transform i
to a black and arid desert, covered
( with the scorn Of an evil passion anC
{ swept by the bitter blast of everlasting
r death. This is what woman can d'
= for the wrong as well as for the right
q Is her mission a little one? Has sh
no worthy work, as has become tn
r cry of late? Man may have a harde
~ task to perform, rougher road t
= travel, but he has none loftier or NOR
,e influential than woman's. No, indeed
for woman has about her that rich so
q of influence, from which can grow
II rankest strength and vigor those dan
70 gerous and poisonous weeds OF vice an
nc wrong and from whose vile and deadl
,o exhalations can everlasting ruin creel
ns as it comes Kissing and breathing I'll
N tortures of the doomed and the los
re- Yes. her influence bears those weeds
r evil as we'll as those flowers Of gooC
or ness whose blessed perfume makes ma
better and purer and nobler. IT w
man only knew the power she holds
work man good or i'll, if she on
- knew the bliss and peace her smil
-, - can surely bring, the troubles that h
IN voice can always still, and make Il
81 heart in purest accents sing, then 81
= would not lead man so far astray, b
.e keep him turned towards that perfe
Il Il dav, knowing that She can give hi
y life or death, and turn his darke
- - night to brightest day.
10 10 Now, fair readers, it is for you to S;
iie i whether you are true woman-Go
Oe fashioned and finished, and Heaye
ordained, mans destiny for good
u ruin, or are you one Of the gay, glide
ast gorgeous butterflies Of folly, fifth
~ hither and thither from one flower
ma gayety and pleasure to another. al
he scattering influences as hurtful al
he pernicious and as deadly as the poiso
H. Gus shade Of the dreaded Upas tire
NO Are you making man better or wors
Is YOUR influence for good or ev
Which? The answer will be made
na- eternity Solemn thought, and prC
the nant with momentous consequenc
og- for upon that answer hangs perpet
nd peace or everlasting agony. Won;
ent then. has a fearful and awful respor
it bility resting upon her, for her I'M
ence is powerful for good or evil.
VI Durham 7o6ace0 Plant: Col. /